TEACHER'S NOTES

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When Prayers are Answered

Activity Type Introduction

Reading, writing, This engaging critical thinking lesson helps to teach students
listening and speaking about the topic of reincarnation.
activity, pair and group
work Procedure
Begin by playing a quick game of hangman with the word
Language Focus 'reincarnation'. When the students get the word, go through its
meaning and discuss the students' thoughts on the topic.
Reincarnation
Next, give each student a copy of the lesson.
Critical thinking
The students begin by listening to a song based on reincarnation
and completing a gap fill. When the students have listened to the
Aim song two times, they compare their answers with their classmates.
The students then listen to the song one more time. Following
To learn about and that, elicit the answers and discuss the meaning of the song.
discuss the topic of
reincarnation. Answer key
1. Summer 5. losing 9. removed 13. replace
2. tattoos 6. without 10. blues 14. meant
Preparation
3. steal 7. pact 11. muse 15. price
Make one copy of the 4. future 8. miss 12. machine
lesson for each student.
Afterwards, read the story "When Prayers are Answered" together
as a class. After each paragraph, review its contents and meaning,
Also, prepare a copy of
and deal with any problematic words that arise. Students then
the song "The one that
answer a set of true or false and reading comprehension questions
got away" by Katy Perry.
based on the story. When the students have finished, go through
the answers with the class.
Level Answer key
Low intermediate 1. True 2. False 3. True 4. False 5. False
1. Because people said they got their prayers answered there.
Time 2. Jungle rule means the law of nature.
3. The men were going to steal their money.
90 minutes 4. The boy was killed by three men and the girl commited suicide
by jumping from a cliff.
5. They both believed in reincarnation.
Students then write a continuation and ending for the story in
their own words. When the students have finished, they read the
ending to a partner and compare their ideas.
After that, read the final part of the story together as a class. The
students then discuss similarities and differences to their story.
Next, have the students answer the discussion questions and
then talk about their answers in small groups. Finally, have a
class feedback session and discuss the students' answers to the
questions.

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 CRITICAL THINKING

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When Prayers are Answered

"The One That Got Away" by Katy Perry

(1) __________ after high school, when we first met

We make-out in your Mustang to Radiohead
And on my eighteenth birthday, we got matching (2) __________

Used to (3) __________ your parents' liquor and climb to the roof
Talk about our (4) __________ like we had a clue
Never planned that one day I'd be (5) __________ you

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

I was June and you were my Johnny Cash

Never one (6) __________ the other, we made a (7) __________
Sometimes when I (8) __________ you, I put those records on, whoa

Someone said you had your tattoo (9) __________

Saw you downtown, singing the (10) __________
It's time to face the music, I'm no longer your (11) __________

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

The one, the one, the one

The one that got away

All this money can't buy me a time (12) __________, no

Can't (13) __________ you with a million rings, no
I should'a told you what you (14) __________ to me, whoa
Cause now I pay the (15) __________

In another life, I would be your girl

We keep all our promises, be us against the world
In another life, I would make you stay
So I don't have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

The one (the one)

The one (the one)
The one (the one)

In another life, I would make you stay

So I don't have to say you were the one that got away
The one that got away

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 CRITICAL THINKING

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When Prayers are Answered

"When Prayers are Answered" by Daniel Bwe Doe Aye

One fine evening, as the sun was trying to hide itself behind the flaunting clouds, a couple was
walking along the river bank. The girl's long black hair was dancing in the gentle wind. Holding
the arm of her lover, her eyes glistened like a woman in the prime of her life. The boy held a
bicycle with his right hand. His gentle look was that of a man truly in love. "Shall we go and say
prayers at the River Bank Pagoda? People say they always got their prayers answered there,"
the boy suggested. "I'm not sure. It's two miles away and it will be getting dark when we come
back," the girl said. He gave her a smile and insisted. "What are you afraid of? I'll protect you."
She smiled in agreement.

The couple headed to the small white coloured pagoda, which stood tall on the cliff of the river
bank. The pagoda looked tranquil as the sleepy sun was sinking towards the river and the birds
were composing their goodbye melodies.

The couple sat in front of the pagoda and looked up at it to say prayers as the stars started
peering from the blue sky. The boy said, "Lord Buddha, may only death part us in this life. If
we meet in another life, I shall be the one who takes care of her and the one who gives her the
meaning of life." The girl prayed, "Oh Lord Buddha, as I believe in destiny, may I meet him in
every life and be the only one who wins his heart."

Holding each other's hands, leaving the pagoda, the whispers of love floated in the air as they
stepped down the stairway. They went back to his bicycle and travelled back along the dark
streets with the help of the moonlight. Singing a melody softly and leaning on her lovers' back,
she looked up at the sky as they rode along. The moon was playing hide and seek with her as
they passed a shady lane beside the cliff of the river bank.

Under the shadow of a big tree, the bicycle stopped. Five men appeared from behind the tree.
The boy saw the glaze of a steel surface in the moonlight. He begged the men to just take
his wallet and leave them alone. As she stepped back a few feet in fear, the five men saw her
untouchable beauty. Like wolves had seen their dinner, the jungle rule was practiced. The silver
moon spotlighted on a terrified little sheep, the wolves easily grabbed their prey and drew them
back into a dark wood. Three of the men finished the boy off. Before his final heart beat was
taken, he asked the men, "Why?" One of the men replied, "Well, don't ask me. This is your
destiny. You believe that right? Say your prayers."

In a small pool of blood, he prayed with his last breath, "May this destiny never come again in
my next life…" In the wood, the sheep was helpless. The wolves showed no mercy. She asked,
"Why… why do you have to do this?" One replied, "Because you are a woman. First, we just
came for money, but the plan changed when we saw your beauty." Another man added, "Don't
blame us, because of you we had to finish your boyfriend off." Feeling guilty for being a woman
for the first time in her life, she knew the only way out. The cliff! The sounds of the water hitting
the hard rocks were showing her escape. She ran up towards the cliff and jumped. Before
her heart stopped by the touch of the rocks below, she said a prayer, "In every life, may I be
rejoined with my true love."

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 CRITICAL THINKING

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When Prayers are Answered

A. True or false?

1. The girl was afraid to go to the pagoda because it would be dark soon.

2. The couple played hide and seek in the dark on the way back home.

3. The boy stopped the bicycle because he saw some men.

4. There were some wolves in the forest and they attacked the couple.

5. The boy gave some money to the strangers.

B. Answer the questions.

1. Why did the boy suggest visiting the riverside pagoda?

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2. What is the meaning of jungle rule?

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3. What were the men's first intentions?

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4. How did the couple die?

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5. What did the couple both believe in, according to their last prayers?

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6. If you were with your boyfriend or girlfriend at the pagoda, would you have said the same
prayer or something different? Why?

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7. If you were in their situation, what would you pray for before you took your last breath?

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 CRITICAL THINKING

ESL / EFL RESOURCES When Prayers are Answered

C. Write a continuation and ending for the story in your own words. When you have
finished, read the ending to a partner and compare your ideas.

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D. Now, read the final part of the story and compare it with your own. Discuss any
similarities and differences with your partner.

Time moved on. Seasons changed and years passed by. There was a house. A boy was playing
outside on his bicycle, as his mother was busy cleaning the house. The mother looked out the
window and saw her new neighbours, a mother and daughter. Thinking that this was the best
time to greet them, she went and invited them to dinner.

She introduced her son, "This is my son Derrick, say hello to your new neighbours." He greeted
the mother whose name was May. May commented that Derrick was a very cute kid. May called
to her daughter. "Amy, come here, you've got a new friend." A girl with long black hair came up.
While the two mothers were talking, Derrick said, "Amy, let's go and play down by the river."
Amy replied, "Oh, I am afraid of dogs, you know." Derrick gave her a smile and said, "Don't be
afraid, I'll protect you. They won't even bark at you. OK?" Amy smiled in agreement. Little did
they know that their prayers had been answered.

E. Answer the discussion questions and then talk about your answers in a small group.

1. Do you think Derrick and Amy will be happy in their new lives?

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2. Are you happy for them? Why (not)?

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3. What is your prediction for Amy and Derrick's future?

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4. Do you believe in reincarnation? Why (not)?

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